DESIGN OF PHOTOVOLTAIC PUMPING SYSTEM FOR INFORMATION AND

COMMUNICATION BUILDING OF MINDANAO UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND

TECHNOLOGY
By: Cj Luv II Y. Cabangbang (2011)
Abstract
In an effort to evaluate the comparison of renewable energy investment and the cost of
the electric utility after 25 years, a study for the economic merits of a solar PV integrated
in buildings is conducted for the Mindanao University of Science and Technology
(MUST) specifically at ICT building, and an architectural design of the system. The cost
of the system and the forecasted price of the electric utility are also presented in the
paper. Solar photovoltaic (PV) integrated in the building could take part in a critical role
as an alternative way of energy and electricity demand.
1. Introduction
Everyone in this planet can benefit from solar energy, some more than others. Renewable
energy such as from the sun has been used by humans throughout the history to do
everyday chores and maintain life.
Solar energy is produced by the sun which is a gigantic nuclear fusion reactor running on
hydrogen fuel. The sun converts five billion tons of matter into energy every second.
Solar energy comes from the Earth in the form of visible light and infrared radiation.
Scientists expect that the sun will continue to provide light and heat energy for the next
billion years.
The country Philippines has abundant solar energy resources. Presently, a number of solar
photovoltaic projects have been implemented in different locations around the country,
where most of these projects are stand-alone while a few are grid-connected. However,
grid-connected solar PV integrated in buildings is something innovative at Mindanao
University of Science and Technology (MUST). This projects aims to study the economic
merits of renewable energy projects under a restricted electricity industry. Renewable
energy resources may meet the demand for a more dependable energy sector, clean and
efficient energy supply. The solar PV at MUST aims to drive/supply the pump motor
which helps ease the prevailing barriers through in depth study of the economic,
environmental and social benefits. This thesis concerns the use of grid-connected solar

PV that supplies/drives the 5hp pump motor. Hence, this study aims to design a PV
pumping system in the campus, determine how much gallon of waters can fill the tank in
a given day, compare the total cost between the PV pumping system and the distribution
utility after 25 years in the campus and determine the feasibility of the school satisfies of
installing solar PV.
2. Methodology
A good site data is the essential foundation upon which proper system design is based.
Care must be taken to collect accurate information and to verify that the information
whenever possible. The design of Photovoltaic pumping systems has been based on
incomplete or inaccurate site data producing disastrous results.
A pumping site is initially determined to be cost effective for Photovoltaic-powered water
pumping; additional information needs to be collected on the prospective site. This
additional information is used to help verify the water requirements and the pumping
head and to further determine the suitability of the site for Phortovoltaic-powered water
pumping. The information is also the essential foundation upon which proper system
design is based whether the system is to be designed and specified by the utility. To
facilitate the collection of the information, a site data form was developed for recording
the data. The form is divided into three main categories: Customer information, Water
Use Information and Water Source Information.
Customer Information
This section of site data form provides spaces for the customers name address and phone
number to identify the information of the form.
Water Use Information
Water End Use This information can be used to help verify the customers water
requirements. If the pump will be used for domestic household use, record the number of
people in the household that will be using the water.
Average Daily Water Requirement Determine as accurately as possible the customers
average daily water requirements for this water site in each season of use and record the
quantities here.

Water Storage Because most PV-powered pumping systems provide water only when
the sun is shining, customer satisfaction with a PV-powered system relies heavily on
sufficient water storage. At a minimum, the water storage should be sufficiently large to
supply water requirements.
Water Source Information
The pumps that can be used at a pumping site are in large part determined by the type of
water source at the site. The diameter of the casing determines the types and sizes of the
pumps that can be installed. The depth of the well how far below the static water level a
pump can be submersed.
A

three-phase motor pump which specially designed and developed for operating

submersible pumps as well as surface pumps for drinking water and irrigation purposes as
per relevant requirement and environmental conditions at the various installation. They
require power of the photovoltaic system will be sized according to the energy
consumption of the pump motor. Get the rated power of the pump motor to be sized the
system.
The said requirement power of the pump motor is given. In computing for the number of
modules needed, these are the equations;
Modul e series =

Modul e =

V inv
(1)
V mod

No minal Array Power

(2 )
Modul e series x Watt s module

This will show the area of the solar panels that will occupy the space of the location to be
constructed. In computing for the area of the panels, this is the equation;
Area of panels=Modul etotal x Are amodule (3)
The entire campus have only two meters which its records the whole energy consumption
of the school. Since the said building to be study has no meter to be observed, the
researcher use two watt-metering method or two single phase meters into a three phase
meter connection. Then after connecting the meters, record the starting kw-h and the time

being connected. The recorded data of the consumption of the pump motor will be one (1)
month only due to limited of time. Hours of use of the motor pump will be recorded
according to the time of used. In computing the kilowatt-hour, this is the equation;
kilowatthour =Power pump x Time ( 4 )
A solar array is a linked collection of photovoltaic modules, which are in turn made of
multiple interconnected solar cells. By their modularity, they are able to be configured to
supply most loads. In computing for the total solar array, this is the equation;
Amper earray =Modul e x Amper e module

(5)